91 SS hearse, rear door rusting under glass... Want to look nice but not alot of $$ spent. Body shop says fabricate new skin, I say fix best you can. They say rust will return soon. Will get some pics to show rust.
Fix or replace?
- Thread starter Doug Watson
- Start date
I say fix it right the first time, so there won't be a second time.
Rust worms will start showing up all over the car, since it is already 20 years old, and way past it prime and useful life expectancy. Sell it and upgrade at least 10 years, and it will be money well spent. The repair will probably last only a few years, and there will be other problem spots rearing their ugly heads in the meantime. Cut your losses, and replace. You need a dependable and trustworthy vehicle when it is your rolling stock in trade. A 1991 isn't old enough to be considered a classic, and too old to be considered a front line hearse for a successful funeral home. The funeral business is just like any other business.. If you don't modernize, and keep up with the times, business will pass you by for others that do what the customers want. People today want to do business with people that are successful, and display that success with pride by updating.
Replace, for sure; there's likely rust elsewhere that you can't see...yet.
I am using this one for night removals. I have a 2004 I use for funerals. I just like the looks of the 91. I've spent $$ on mechanicals, nice shape. With my 64, I'll have 3 distinct styles.
Unless your a bodyman, I'd let the bodyshop fix it right, how they want to. Half ass it, and you'll be spending the same amount later.
rust? it would depend on what we are talking about rust going in that has not gone threw yet or rust that is coming from underneath and is threw all ready. the first could be treated and repaired. the latter will need some form of replacement to get any kind of repair that will last. but it it's a problem in the glass Chanel and your only looking to get a few more years out of the car. one can treat the rust inside and out use a all metal filler and paint. get you by. I have see them covered over with aluminum tape, filled and painted. got by a few years. but the rear doors on those set of car were a problem. me is I wanted to keep the car I would see about a replacement door. the get by repair would cover you till you found one
Doug, I had the rear door on my '86 Superior rebuilt (yes, rebuilt) about 6 years ago. It was bad enough that when they removed the vinyl, metal came with it and you could see daylight in other places. I think if they body shop is worth it's weight, it will be worth the money. Unfortunatley, it's the only part of the car that was done correctly.